Abstract: RF magnetic shields which support tangential electric fields. The RF shields are particularly suited for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, but may also be used in other radio frequency applications. The RF magnetic shields may include a dielectric layer having conductive regions separated by non-conductive regions on each side thereof to form a plurality of capacitive elements. The capacitive elements are partially non-conductive at radio frequencies such that the electrical component tangent to the shield is supported and the magnetic component perpendicular to the shield is blocked. The size and shape of the non-conductive and conductive regions are selected to develop a capacitive voltage across the capacitive elements at radio frequencies, and be substantially non-conductive at frequencies other than RF. The RF magnetic shields provide an electrical field that is uniform around the entire sample volume.

Abstract: RF magnetic shields which support tangential electric fields. The RF shields are particularly suited for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, but may also be used in other radio frequency applications. The RF magnetic shields may include a dielectric layer having conductive regions separated by non-conductive regions on each side thereof to form a plurality of capacitive elements. The capacitive elements are partially non-conductive at radio frequencies such that the electrical component tangent to the shield is supported and the magnetic component perpendicular to the shield is blocked. The size and shape of the non-conductive and conductive regions are selected to develop a capacitive voltage across the capacitive elements at radio frequencies, and be substantially non-conductive at frequencies other than RF. The RF magnetic shields provide an electrical field that is uniform around the entire sample volume.

Abstract: A local coil for magnetic resonance imaging employs a cylindrical form supporting a coil array of one or more coil groups arranged circumferentially around the cylindrical form. Multiple coil groups are overlapped to provide electrical isolation between the coil groups preserving the signal to noise ratio inherent in a local coil while providing a greater field-of-view than may be obtained from such coil group.

Abstract: A method of tuning a radio frequency coil for use in MR imaging applications uses reactive shunts having a reactance in parallel with a switch to connect sections of the coil to ground thereby constraining the resonant mode of the coil to a known orientation. A plurality of measurements of the frequency of the resonances along different such constrained orientations is used to deduce the frequencies of the two unconstrained orthogonal resonant modes of the coil and its orientation. The shunts may also be used to tune the coil according to the deduced frequencies of the unconstrained resonance and the desired frequency and orientation by adjusting the reactance of the shunts. A shunt having a variable reactance and a switch for shorting the RF coil as required uses a PIN diode in combination with a variable reactance.

Abstract: An RF coil assembly for an NMR instrument includes a cylindrical shield which encloses a set of equally spaced linear conductors that surround a central axis. A set of shielded conductors connect to the ends of the linear conductors to form loops. The effective lengths of the loops and the RF signal source which drives the loops are selected to improve the homogeneity of the RF field produced along the central axis.

Abstract: An RF coil assembly for an NMR instrument includes a cylindrical coil surrounded by a cylindrical shield. The annular space between the coil and the shield is filled with a dielectric material having a relative permittivity selected to improve the RF field homogeneity in the radial direction.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal acquisition apparatus includes a cylindrical array of overlapping coils. Coupling of currents between coils due to re-radiation of received signals, in particular noise currents, is reduced by presenting a high impedance to each coil, thereby reducing the current circulating in each coil. A PREDAMP circuit is disclosed which utilizes the input impedance of a preamplifier, transformed through a quarter-wavelength transmission line segment, to achieve the high input impedance for the coil. As a result, multiple images, each with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), can be simultaneoulsy obtained. A method is disclosed for combining the multiple images into a composite image with optimum SNR, taking into account the phase shifts between images resulting from the spatial orientation of the coils.

Abstract: A method for providing plural coaxial cable connections, each to a different portion of a single radio-frequency (RF) antenna without requiring the use of isolation means at any RF connection, determines at least a point within the antenna having a desired common potential adjacent to each of the different portions to which one of the coaxial cable connections is to be made; Then forms a separate segment of each different portion which is located substantially at the common potential and is reactively separated from adjacent segments of the associated portion; and connects a shield conductor of an associated coaxial cable to the separate segment, while connecting a center conductor of that same associated coaxial cable to a selected one of the adjacent segments of that different portion.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal acquisition apparatus includes a cylindrical array of overlapping coils. Coupling of currents between coils due to re-radiation of received signals, in particular noise currents, is reduced by presenting a high impedance to each coil, thereby reducing the current circulating in each coil. A PREDAMP circuit is disclosed which utilizes the input impedance of a preamplifier, transformed through a quarter-wavelength transmission line segment, to achieve the high input impedance for the coil. As a result, multiple images, each with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), can be simultaneously obtained. A method is disclosed for combining the multiple images into a composite image with optimum SNR, taking into account the phase shifts between the images resulting from the spatial orientation of the coils.

Abstract: A uniform surface current density is approximated in an RF transmitting/receiving NMR coil by employing a plurality of discrete conductors having a resonantly distributed current. Inductive and capacitive lines provide a sinusoidal current distribution with various resonant modes providing different magnetic field orientations. The distributed current reduces losses. In a second order resonant mode, decoupling of the surface coil from a transmit coil is achieved without a blocking network.

Abstract: An NMR radio-frequency coil is made up of a plurality of conductive segments evenly spaced about the peripheries and interconnecting a pair of conductive loop elements. Each conductive segment includes at least one reactive element which may include a variable capacitive or inductive element.

Abstract: An NMR radio-frequency coil is made up of a plurality of conductive segments evenly spaced about the peripheries and interconnecting a pair of conductive end-cap elements. Each conductive segment includes at least one reactive element which may include a variable capacitive or inductive element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, referred to as the "high-pass" version, the radio frequency (RF) coil is made up of two conductive loop elements, each including serially-connected capacitors. The loop elements are electrically interconnected by axial conductive segments having inherent inductances associated therewith. Electrically, the coil can be viewed as a slow wave delay line structure wrapped around a cylinder and connected to itself. The coil can be energized by connecting a source of RF power across one of the capacitors in the loop elements. In another embodiment, termed the "band-pass" version, the axial conductive segments, as well as the conductive loop elements, are provided with capacitors.

Abstract: A shield for decoupling radio frequency (RF) and magnetic field gradient coils in an NMR apparatus is made up of first and second arrays of electrically conductive regions separated from one another by relatively narrow non-conductive regions. The arrays are disposed on opposite surfaces of a member formed of a high dielectric material. The conductive regions of one array are offset relative to the conductive regions of the other array such that the conductive regions of the one array bridge the non-conductive regions of the other array to form a plurality of capacitive elements. In operation, the capacitive elements act essentially as electrical short-circuits at radio frequencies, but transmit substantially unaffected the homogeneous magnetic field and audio frequencies associated with pulsed magnetic field gradients.